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As sustainability becomes a defining factor in material selection, the rug industry is finding new ways to reconcile performance, design integrity, and environmental responsibility. While natural fibers like wool and jute have long been prized for their natural qualities, synthetic materials, particularly nylon, are undergoing a quiet transformation that’s reshaping their role in rug making.

Fiber-Shield Industries, a company that makes eco-friendly rug, fabric, and carpet cleaners, is on a mission to change the way we think about cleaning.

Founded by President and Technical Director Manny Vickers and his wife, Connie, in 1979 as Future Living, the company has come a
long way on its journey to become Fiber-Shield. The proof? Manny, a chemist by trade who’s extremely hands-on with the company, recently completed his 10,000th experiment. Fiber-Shield’s emphasis has been to create environmentally compliant products, and that was its focus from day one.

The Digital Shift in the Rug Industry

The rug industry has long been built on tradition—handcrafted designs, deep-rooted relationships, and word-of-mouth referrals. But as consumer expectations evolve, so too must the businesses that serve them. A recent industry survey found that 70% of rug businesses still rely on manual tracking for orders or outdated legacy software, yet those that have adopted modern tools report efficiency gains of up to 40%.